The
Wisdom of the Simultaneously Born need not exist only for those who have
awakened to their True Mind. Those of us who are still burdened by the
myriad illusions and entanglements that the ego-clinging mind envelops us
in, can also experience, though in a less dynamic way, the freedom that is
simultaneously born with an intelligent application of skill and means.

Skill
and means together arising in the mind of the advanced yogi, an adept in
the science of cultivation, produce light and bliss. Skill is knowing how
to use the means. Means are the tools that skill uses. Needless to say,
what these consist of depends on how far along enlightenment's path one
has proceeded. Generally speaking, however, simultaneously born wisdom
refers to the light of enlightenment experienced by those who have
certified to the uncreated. Let us play with the words a bit and see if
those of us who are still drowning in what is created can get a breath of
air.

Effortlessness
and naturalness are two aspects of the path that are often times lost
sight of when one begins enduring bitterness and undergoing suffering in
order to taste the sweet fruit of awakening. Although effortlessness and
bitterness, suffering and naturalness seem to be diametrically
opposite one another, they need not be experienced as such. Milarepa, the
"poet saint" of Tibet, whose body was completely covered by
lumps and calluses from hardships endured and austerities practiced,
continually emphasizes in his songs that all proper cultivation should
have effortlessness and naturalness as characteristics. But he also points
out that it is because of his guru's grace that he could endure the
suffering
of all humanity and ever remain in bliss.

Bringing
it all down to earth, cultivation is just the developing of skill to
experience
objectively what is commonly experienced subjectively. We learn to stand
apart from our ego or personality and experience it. It is this aspect of
expression that differentiates humans from animals and inanimate material
objects. A light bulb, for instance, is a medium that electricity runs
through and gives forth light. It is just an avenue however, and knows
nothing of the light it is giving forth. People, on the other hand, have
not only the ability to express, but also the capacity to under­stand
what is being expressed. It is only our capacity to understand what is
being expressed that increases with enlightenment, and not what is being
expressed.

Skill
and means must be kept in balance. If we have means (methods and
knowledge) and don't skillfully use them, we will only develop
faculties of mind that don't relate to the experience of enlightenment. If
our skill is good and we are vigorous in our application, but our means
(techniques) are not founded in orthodox teachings, we are in danger of
developing a large capacity for misunderstanding. Although this may sound
funny, it is a tragic mistake that frequently happens. As Milarepa says,
"Although many Yogis spend their days immersed in bright light, when
at the time of death reality's light shines, few will be able to stabilize
their light and merge it with reality's light.

In
cultivation we don't want to attract to ourselves greater experiences than
we are capable of understanding. Also we don't want to understand more
than we are capable of using. If these two basic rules are followed our
time will be most effectively spent, and wisdom's simplicity revealed to
us.